Review ~ Corrupt by Penelope Douglas

Synopsis:

Erika

I was told that dreams were our heart’s desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession.

His name is Michael Crist.

My boyfriend’s older brother is like that scary movie that you peek through your hand to watch. He is handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college’s basketball team and now gone pro, he’s more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than me.

But I noticed him.

I saw him. I heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid…For years, I bit my nails, unable to look away.

Now, I’ve graduated high school and moved on to college, but I haven’t stopped watching Michael. He’s bad, and the dirt I’ve seen isn’t content to stay in my head anymore.

Because he’s finally noticed me.

Michael

Her name is Erika Fane, but everyone calls her Rika.

My brother’s girlfriend grew up hanging around my house and is always at our dinner table. She looks down when I enter a room and stills when I am close. I can always feel the fear rolling off of her, and while I haven’t had her body, I know that I have her mind. That’s all I really want anyway.

Until my brother leaves for the military, and I find Rika alone at college.

In my city.

Unprotected.

The opportunity is too good to be true as well as the timing. Because you see, three years ago she put a few of my high school friends in prison, and now they’re out.

We’ve waited. We’ve been patient. And now every last one of her nightmares will come true.

***Corrupt is a stand-alone dark romance with no Cliffy

Purchase links:

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Review:

If there's only one thing I can love about Penelope Douglas, it's her knack in writing angsty stories. This woman sure knows how much angst to put in her books to ruin you.

Let me say one thing: there is nothing romantic about this book. Corrupt is a dark, twisted, sick, violent read. It's heavier, so much heavier, than what I normally read, and it has taken me completely by surprise. I thought I knew what I was getting into when I started this book, but boy was I wrong. I wasn't prepared to be annihilated by everything that is so wrong in this book. For some reason, though, I like it. I like how the characters developed, except maybe Rika. I don't think her character had any development at all.

I think Penelope Douglas fans will agree with me when I say that you know what to expect when it comes to her books: angst, fiery characters, inevitable romance, and steamy scenes. However, Corrupt is 10x more than what you expect--especially the angst and steamy scenes. *wink*

There's so much violence and sick plots in this book, so I wouldn't recommend it with readers who might have a problem with that. This book is really twisted, and I'll recommend it only to readers who dig that kind of books.

~ Zee

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Author Spotlight ~ Debt by Rachel Dunning

This is my first author spotlight post. I'm featuring New-Adult Contemporary Author Rachel Dunning with her latest novel, Debt, which will be out this March 2016. Check out the details below and don't forget to follow the links to know more about the books and the author herself. ~ Zee

Expected Release Date: March 2016 (Stay tuned for the exact date!)

Genre: New-Adult Romance, Sports Romance

Series: Stand alone

Synopsis:

The Debt Collector

I pay my debts, and I expect others to.

I was raised in the slums of London, I knew nothing of privilege. My father was murdered when I was seventeen. Morty figured my father's passing meant I would automatically take on dad's debts. I refused.

And I paid for that refusal.

So did my sister.

So now I fight. All I know how to do is fight. The best cash is in the states, so that's where I am now. A big fish called Vito came along offering me a "favor" when I arrived.

Another debt.

I paid for that one too.

I knew Kyla Hensley would be trouble when I met her. But I wanted her. I could see through the falsehood of her wannabe-slutty clothes and her sexy legs. So I chased her.

Besides, trouble is my middle name.

Kyla Hensley

I was brought up in privilege, but I lacked everything else. My father is a business tycoon who buys and sells and doesn't care who gets rolled over in the process.

I never knew my mother, and all I have of her is a photo with a note scrawled on the back in French saying "I'm sorry." The only Female Figure I had growing up is my dad's wife who is a bleach blond with seven boob jobs. We never bonded.

I drink. I party. I meet guys.

But I wasn't always like that.

I've had a string of lovers in the last few years, the worst and most recent of which was Vince Somerset. My best friend Vera was dating a guy called Rory Cansoom who is the opposite of Vince in so many ways, and yet so the same.

She and I hit the road for the summer, getting away from the two college psychos and just trying to have some fun.

But there's a funny thing about trouble, the more you run from it, the more it finds you.

Which is when I met the Debt Collector.

It was only supposed to be sex. He made that clear. I made that clear.

That's all it was supposed to be.

I never expected to fall in love. I never expected to fall so deeply, madly, uncomfortably in love with a man who is wrong, so wrong for me.

And yet...so unbelievably right.

*Content Warning: Not intended for readers under the age of seventeen.

Pre-order Links:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | Amazon AU |  B&N | iTunes | Smashwords

*$0.99 pre-order sale!

About the Author:

Rachel Dunning hit the scene in August 2013 and is the author of the highly praised Naive Mistakes Series, Truthful Lies Trilogy, Johnny Series and the paranormal romance series, Mind Games.

A prolific writer, she sticks to stories where Alpha Males aren’t pricks and where women have guts.

She’s lived on two different continents, speaks three different languages, and met the love of her life on the internet. In other words, romance is in her blood.

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Review ~ Misconduct by Penelope Douglas

Hi, folks! I know, I know--I haven't been active here. My bad. I'll do my best to become a better blogger. :D

My 2016 didn't start off with a bang because I rarely had time to read books--and not because I was having real life adventures. My job requires my attention six days a week, which sucks. hopefully, I'll get to read more often. I miss my babies. anyway, here's my first review of the year!

Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Fall Away series who never fails to deliver a “powerfully written contemporary love story…”*

Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students and trying to forget her past. What brought her to this stage in her life isn’t important. She can’t let it be. But now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing…

Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth, not a teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet…there is something about him that draws Easton in—a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn.

Wanting him is taboo. Needing him is undeniable. And his long-awaited touch will weaken Easton’s resolve—and reveal what should stay hidden…

(*STANDALONE, NO CLIFFHANGER*)

purchase links:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | kobo | Book Depository

Review:

Misconduct is surprisingly light for a Penelope Douglas book. Don't get me wrong--it's heavy with angst, too, but this book didn't feel as heavy as her other books.

I don't dig forbidden romance, but it certainly has its charm. Especially when it is written like how Penelope Douglas did this book.

Misconduct has everything I look for in an NA Romance: relatable characters, female MC with a backbone (though Easton seemed stupid and childish sometimes), angst, explosive chemistry, and a good storyline. My feelings for this book is hovering between like and love it. Perhaps I live it. *wink*

This book is as captivating as any Penelope Douglas book, but it's probably my least favorite.

~ Zee

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Blog Tour ~ Your Irresistible Love (Bennett Family #1) by Layla Hagen

Welcome to my stop in Your Irresistible Love's Blog Tour! In this post, you'll find out what the books is about, an excerpt, a teaser, and a tour-wide giveaway! Feel free to follow the author, Layla Hagen, for more information on her books. Scroll away!

Synopsis:

Sebastian Bennett is a determined man. It’s the secret behind the business empire he built from scratch. Under his rule, Bennett Enterprises dominates the jewelry industry. Despite being ruthless in his work, family comes first for him, and he’d do anything for his parents and eight siblings—even if they drive him crazy sometimes. . . like when they keep nagging him to get married already.

Sebastian doesn’t believe in love, until he brings in external marketing consultant Ava to oversee the next collection launch. She’s beautiful, funny, and just as stubborn as he is. Not only is he obsessed with her delicious curves, but he also finds himself willing to do anything to make her smile.

He’s determined to have Ava, even if she’s completely off limits.

Ava Lindt has one job to do at Bennett Enterprises: make the next collection launch unforgettable. Daydreaming about the hot CEO is definitely not on her to-do list. Neither is doing said CEO. The consultancy she works for has a strict policy—no fraternizing with clients. She won’t risk her job. Besides, Ava knows better than to trust men with her heart.

But their sizzling chemistry spirals into a deep connection that takes both of them by surprise.

Sebastian blows through her defenses one sweet kiss and sinful touch at a time. When Ava’s time as a consultant in his company comes to an end, will

Sebastian fight for the woman he loves or will he end up losing her?

amazon US | B&N | Kobo | iTunes | amazon UK | amazon AU | amazon CA | amazon DE

Excerpt:

“Save your breath and get going.”

I shut my mouth, breathing through my nose as I command my legs not to give up. Jogging is hard. After about a mile, a cramp takes hold of my right thigh. I come to a halt with a shriek and grip my thigh, hoping to relieve the ache. All I manage to do is make the cramp extend to my ankle too.

“Fuck,” I groan, collapsing on the sand. In a heartbeat, Sebastian kneels next to me, putting his hands to work on my thigh and ankle. He kneads my flesh expertly. Before long, the cramp subsides, but he doesn’t stop touching me.

“You really are in terrible shape.”

“I told you to go gentle,” I groan. “Jesus, it hurts everywhere.”

“Ava, I don’t do gentle.” 

His words send a jolt of heat right to my core, his double entendre turning me on instantly. I push myself up on my elbows.

“How often do you run?” I ask. “Be honest.”

“I go to the gym every morning. Running an hour is part of my routine.”

I snort. “I knew it. Why didn’t you mention that when I told you I haven’t been running in over a month?”

Sebastian smirks, shrugging.

“Well, at least I get the satisfaction that you’re also sweaty.”

“Oh, I can think of a much more satisfying way to get sweaty,” he says. Then he does that thing with his eyes again that turns me to mush. His gaze smolders, as if nothing exists except the two of us.

“Does it involve any clothes?” I mumble.

“No, it doesn’t.”

His gaze descends to my chest then lower on my disheveled body. Since he’s not bothering to be discreet, I allow myself to inspect every delicious detail about him. Sweat dots his upper lip, and I imagine what kissing him would taste like. A little like salt, a lot like a man. Oh, God. How am I supposed to resist him when he’s so irresistible?

Author Bio:

I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later. I write romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world. And I drink coffee. Lots of it.

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Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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